NABCEP requirements [RE-wrenches]

[Nick Lucchese]

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It's been a few years but I seem to remember that there were only 
about 8 (if that) questions specific to batteries and off-grid 
systems. Even one or two of those related to charge controller and 
inverter values specific to on grid with battery backup. So maybe a 
battery and battery-less exam would be more appropriate?

Nick A Lucchese



>Hi Ezra & all,
>
>In a slightly different vein, my understanding of the PV exam is that it
>weighs heavily towards off grid systems which we see very little of here in
>eastern Massachusetts.  That coupled with the lack of course work available
>to be able to get brought up to speed has presented what seems to be a
>barrier to installers around here.  I personally haven't taken the PV exam
>because of this and I know of several experienced installers who have failed
>it, some of them more than once.  Perhaps there should be an off grid and
>grid tied classification...
>
>I found the thermal exam to be fairly reasonable but maybe needing a little
>more overlap with plumbing code.
>
>Other than that I think that NABCEP hopefully presents us with an
>opportunity(way down the road) to permit our own tie ins in states (like
>Massachusetts) that have no licensing diversity.  And yes I agree that
>homeowners should be able to do and (wherever possible) permit their own
>work!  Perhaps states requiring NABCEP certification could be urged to adopt
>that policy.
>
>Are the jurisdictions requiring NABCEP certification allowing tie ins by to
>be permitted by solar installers?
>
>Conrad
>Cotuit Solar
>NABCAP thermal TM
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Allan Sindelar" 
><allan at positiveenergysolar.com>
>To: <RE-wrenches at topica.com>
>Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:37 AM
>Subject: Re: NABCEP [RE-wrenches]
>
>>
>>Wrenches.
>>I've asked Allan Sindelar to post this for me as I have limited internet
>>access whilst traveling. NABCEP is a voluntary certification and yes,
>>despite our best efforts more and more jurisdictions are considering
>>requiring the NABCEP Certification. In each instance NABCEP staff
>>contact the jurisdiction and urge them to encourage rather than
>>mandate certification.
>>
>>Having said that I'll go on and address Joel's
>>question about NABCEP actively refusing to allow jurisdictions to
>>require certification. We have no authority to direct jurisdictions
>>as to what to require or not. If we did all programs would encourage
>>NABCEP but not require it. The fact that many jurisdictions are
>>requiring certification simply points to the need for an accountable
>>professional certification program which NABCEP provides.
>>
>>NABCEP will continue to encourage all jurisdictions to provide extra
>>incentives to certified installers and will continue to oppose
>>mandatory requirements.
>>
>>Best regards,
>>Ezra Auerbach
>>Chairperson NABCEP
>>
>>ezra at lasqueti.net
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Dan Rice" <danrice at scinternet.net>
>>Sent: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 10:23 PM
>>Subject: Re: NABCEP again (was opportunity to address pumbing code issues)
>>[RE-wrenches]
>>>
>>>Joel,
>>>
>>>I actively sought input from NABCEP on this issue, due to the PV
>>>licensure
>>>requirement for NABCEP certification in Utah. I've been underwhelmed by
>>the
>>>response from NABCEP on this issue (and I'm an "Inaugural" NABCEP PV
>>>certificant, so I'm not anti-NABCEP). I'm told that they "discourage"
>>govt.
>>>agencies from requiring or utilizing NABCEP certification in licensure
>>>requirements, but they claim that they can do nothing to stop it. It's
>>>not
>>>hard to see that any requirement for NABCEP certification represents a
>>>potential revenue stream for NABCEP, so I'm dubious about how vigorously
>>the
>>>"discouragement" may be.
>>>
>>>Having every PV licenseholder in the state NABCEP certified potentially
>>>reduces the marketing advantage of certification, although one does not
>>need
>>>to retain current certification to remain licensed -only be NABCEP
>>certified
>>>when applying to become licensed. I won't go in to the objections I've
>>>raised with the Utah licensing officials here, but if this issue is of
>>>concern to anyone else, I can share those off-line.
>>>
>>>For what it's worth, Utah also relies upon other industry certifications
>>for
>>>other licensure classifications. The one that comes to mind is in the gas
>>>appliance and piping industry. I expect, with gubment budget tightening
>>and
>>>privatization in vogue, this paradigm will continue to grow.
>>>
>>>Dan Rice
>>>Abundant Sun, LLC.
>>>
>>>----- Original Message ----- From: "Joel Davidson" 
>>><joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net>
>>>|
>>>| Since 2001, NABCEP said that certification is voluntary, yet NABCEP
>>>| certification requirements keep popping up. Does NABCEP actively refuse
>>to
>>>| allow jurisdictions to require certification?
>>>| Joel Davidson
>>
>>
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>
>
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-- 
Nick A Lucchese
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Planet Home
General Contractor # 808851
Sierra Solar Systems
563C Idaho Maryland Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
tech info and foreign orders:  (530) 273-6754
order line: (800) 51-SOLAR (US only)   FAX:  (530) 273-1760
e-mail:  <mailto:nickl at sierrasolar.com>
world wide web:  <http://www.sierrasolar.com>


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